Advise on audio interface

[Ofer]

The solution I have found to playing external SPDIF source using a convolver is not satisfactory. The resampling and routing to JR WDM device causes cracks and glitches and impairs the music experience.

Using JRiver convolver for external sources

Hi everyone, My attempts to use AL standalone convolver for playing external spdif source have been futile (see my post baby steps with AL). I was wondering if there is anyone who tried using JRiver convoler with an external source pluged to the soundcard? preferably with an RME card.

www.avnirvana.com

I am considering ditching the RME ff400. Yet now I want to be cautious. There is a used MOTU UltraLite AVB 18-In-18-Out USB2 for about 400$. Does anyone have experience with this device using external input and JRiver Asio line in functionality?

 

[mccarty350]

Have you thought of just using a simple proven sound card that is under 100 bucks new? Asus Xonar U7 Mk II usb 2.0 soundcard? Does 192/24 out of 8 channels, asio drivers, proven to work on audiolense, etc. I use one in my office and Bernt also owned one (that died recently unfortunately).

Only issues is that two of the inputs are RCA out on the card, the other 6 are mini out's so you need to buy those little mini to RCA adapters to get 8 x RCA's out. Unless you require XLR then indeed an audio interface seems the smart play.

 

[Ofer]

There are more issues. First the goal is to play external spdif source through the convolver, did you try that and it worked?
Second you stated that the output gain is low and preamp is needed. That complicates things as I already use a preamp to route my TV/CD to the computer. If the issue was only PC audio then it would be solved already.

 

[whoareyou]

The solution I have found to playing external SPDIF source using a convolver is not satisfactory. The resampling and routing to JR WDM device causes cracks and glitches and impairs the music experience.

Hi Ofer,
Have you tried adjusting any of the settings in JRiver i.e. for buffer size (I don't remember exactly where this setting is)? Honestly, from past experience YMMV with these settings, but once in a while they have solved issues for me.
If you haven't done so, I'd suggest asking over in the Jriver forum for advice.

 

[Ofer]

I did. Adjusting buffer size in JR and RME improved the cracks and skips in playback. It is more of a principle issue. To have all this high end hardware and software and to resort to this workaround is annoying.

 

[juicehifi]

There are more issues. First the goal is to play external spdif source through the convolver, did you try that and it worked?
Second you stated that the output gain is low and preamp is needed. That complicates things as I already use a preamp to route my TV/CD to the computer. If the issue was only PC audio then it would be solved already.

Whad kind of spdif source and do your sound card handle regular spdif properly? Not all professional interfaces is designed to account for regular SPDIF, running on its own clock...

 

[Ofer]

Hi Bernt,
Not sure I follow. The spdif is visible in the Total MixFX console and is played to whatever physical channels I assign to it in the console. It can also works with the workaround of listen to this device. It is just the ASIO that fails. I am now trying to do it in Reaper to no avail, yet.

 

[juicehifi]

Well, I was just throwing something out here. I know for a fact that some of the Lynx cards of the past were unequal in how they handled incoming SPDIF. Does your sound card resample the incoming SPDIF or what?

 

[mccarty350]

I don't have any answers on SPDIF handling on this platform since I'm just using the 8 channel analog outputs. I believe I get around 1 vrms of output out of this sound card which is fine until you're losing 10db or more based on how your convolver file shakes out.

 

[Ofer]

Well, I was just throwing something out here. I know for a fact that some of the Lynx cards of the past were unequal in how they handled incoming SPDIF. Does your sound card resample the incoming SPDIF or what?

When using ASIO it doesn't resample but if the signal is outputed to windows sound, what is called a wdm device in the settings, then it resamples to 48khz/

 

[juicehifi]

When using ASIO it doesn't resample but if the signal is outputed to windows sound, what is called a wdm device in the settings, then it resamples to 48khz/

It is common with asynchronous resampling at spdif inputs or something of similar effect. It used to be the norm with conventional hifi dacs. But in the pro world, everything is synced by the same clock, so no all pro sound cards have this. If may make a huge difference if you're e.g. using a cd transport. But yes, the windows mixer may help here.

 

[Ofer]

That is why I want to go the asio route. It seems that another card is in order . What do you mean "the windows mixer may help"?

 

[juicehifi]

Maybe your incoming signal needs resampling.

What type of external source are you hooking up with spdif?

 

[Ofer]

miniDSP 4x10HD. I use it as a digital preamp, It resamples everything to 96/24. I also tried it with a CD. In either case it was always resampled to 48khz/

 

[juicehifi]

This sounds like some driver issue.

Have you tried Asio4All in the middle? It works underneath the windows mixer.

 

[juicehifi]

Wait ... doesn't miniDSP connect with USB?

 

[Ofer]

Not my miniDSP. The USB is just to change the settings. My unit is connected to the computer via spdif only. From all I have read it is probably a FireFace issue. This is a unit that was discontinued in 2013 but is still being used so there are drivers for W10. The guys at the JRiver forums also had issues using asio line in. For some reason these units FF400 and FF800 don't play well with JR.

 

[mccarty350]

Yeah Bernt, the smaller minidsp's act as usb dac's but the larger ones the 4x10's just use usb for configuration and are not used as dac's.